Thinking about switching from homeschooling to a public/private school?

Question

Hi, I'm in 8th grade and I'm homeschooled. I've been homeschooled all my life, and honestly, recently it's started to bore me. The only social time I have is on the internet and Wednesday nights at church. Which is the main reason I'm bored of it. My parents offered that I start going to a regular school, and I have mixed thoughts. The only things that "scare" me, is that, how my mom has it layed out now, is I go over my work until I get it right, then I move on, there's no grading, and I get allot of freedom. And there's no tests, just my evaluation at the end of the year.

So my question is, would it be a shock for me to switch over to regular school? Will I be really bogged down with homework and get stressed out to the point that I flunk? I'm starting high school next year and I know it's a big step up from middle school, PLUS the extra tests and stuff that regular school has. So, any advice?

- Thanks

Answer 1

If you think you're bored now, it's only going to be worse coping with traditional school schedule.  

You may or may not have difficulty with the academic part.  That all depends on your personality.  

I wonder why you don't do any other social activities if you are so inclined.  Do your parents restrict you?  

I have to suggest Grace Llewelyn's book "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" for you.  It may give you some ideas, though it is written more for people who have been subjected to traditional school.

Good Luck :)

Answer 2

The way I see it, you're a hard worker and I can tell you're smart (you have good grammar). It'll be a change, but you'll get used to it. I don't exactly know, but I have a feeling that colleges look at public school kids more than they do homeschoolers. If you're going to college, it's WAY better to make the transition now. Entering high school would be a great time to enter public schools. Depending on the school and the area you live, you might be exposed to a lot of stuff you never have before (drinking, parties, etc.) but you need to remember that you have to stay above the influence. People who do stupid things are stupid people. Make some good friends and stick by them. Know when they are pushing it too far and don't be afraid to switch friends when you feel the need. Make some tight friends from church or even on the internet (not pedophiles) who will stand behing you through it all. Good Luck! God Bless!

Answer 3

don't do it!!!  i'm serious.  Don't.

You state all of the reasons to continue homeschooling in your own question.

Please check into all of the options that are available to you.

Home-school groups are everywhere!  Get your academic studies done and get busy --- forget the internet (no wonder you are bored!!!!)  The internet is a sloppy substitute for interaction and friends.

Invite other home-school people -- the whole family -- to your house.  Join a local support group.  Start going to events at least every week.  Get involved with home-school sports.  Volunteer to read to the elderly at a nursing home.  Visit children at a boys and girls club.  C'mon!  You can do this.  Going to group school would be a cop-out!  

Boring is a word that I didn't allow in my house.  If you are bored it is YOUR responsibility to find something to do.  Get a hobby -- build something, paint something, learn a new skill.  You're too young to be truly "bored".  LOL -- if you lived in my home you would have plenty to do.  Raise chickens and pigs.  Take a dog-training class.  Join 4-H.  Write letters to soldiers that are stationed overseas.  Get into photography and send pictures in to contests.  Write a story and try to get it published.  If nothing else take on extra chores.  Get your house completely clean and fix everything that is broken.

OMGoodness --- I'm stunned that you think that regular school would be an improvement..... yikes!!!!  

Hang in there and do your very best with the wonderful mind that you were born with.  Use it to be creative and to get yourself ahead in life.

Answer 4

School will big a huge adjustment, definitely. A teacher is not going to give you time to get it right. You may not need the time others do, or you may need more time. If you need more time, then you have to use your time in the evenings and on the weekends to get it right. Some do the transition just fine. Depends mainly on your personality.

My main concern is that your needs seem to be social yet you are focusing on academic structure and just assuming that this is *the* solution to your problem. Going to school doesn't guarantee socializing. You should still be able to get all the socializing you need while still being homeschooled. Have you found out about groups in your area? Volunteer opportunities for teens? Fitness classes for teens? Other general classes for teens? There may very well be lots of things for you to do, including during the day when schooled kids are in school.

If you go to school, you won't automatically make friends necessarily. You'll have to make the first move now and then, maybe join some clubs, find some extra-curriculars... All the things I'm suggesting you do as a homeschooler.

So, before you decide to go to school or not, see what's available where you live. It doesn't have to be restricted to just Wed. nights and internet!

Answer 5

Honey, do not go to a public school, you are learning a whole lot more than most public schools would teach you. It's better if you stay there and it is safer.

Answer 6

I definitely suggest you to change from homeschooling to regular public/private school because it gives you the heads-up for high school. You have to be ready for all the stress and pressure. If you're continue to be homeschool, you won't see reality and what is really outside. All you experience is freedom; you need to learn about the pressure and stress. High school is very hard and complicated. The exams, quizzes, reports, essays, projects, and etc will really kill you. If you are prepare for it right now, you'll get the hang of it and understand how everything will function and you're ready for it. Go.

Answer 7

It sounds like it's your social life that needs a remodel and not your education.

Take it on as a personal project. Set some goals - Do you want to make new friends? Do you want to start a new hobby? List your goals.

Start brainstorming some ways to get out and participate more in the community. Look for ways to help other people in ways that are important to you — volunteering can be one of the best ways to meet people with the same interests and values.

If you are bored, it means you're ready for a change, but you  may be happier tweaking the life you have now rather than throwing it out altogether.

Answer 8

Okay, since many others have given you pros and cons I will basically attempt to give you my perspective. (I went through the same question four years ago)

First, it's normal for you to be scared about the potential change, I know I definitely was. It would be a completely new environment in which you have no previous experience to guide you. You should not, however, let this make your decisions for you.

Next, you should try to figure out what motivates you to learn. If having competition, stress (I'm not going to glamorize high schools, they can be very stressful) and group projects, you would probably be better off in a public high school. Also, a definite benefit of a public high school is that you will have an outside source assigning grades, which if you are planning to attend college, will be invaluable in obtaining merit scholarships. The public school system also will have more resources (ex. science equipment, field trips and more varied course options) than you could probably obtain from pure homeschooling.

It seems, though, that your only problem with homeschooling is the lack of socialization. There are other remedies to that than just entering the school system. I don't know if you've done this already, but try finding out if there is a local homeschooling group that meets regularly. Also, you might want to suplement your lessons with maybe a course or two each semester at a local community college. This would allow you to take a wider range of courses,  you could use them as sorts of "electives" and would provide the social interaction you seem to desire. Also, this will provide you with a record for if you apply to college later. With this option, the majority of your subjects will be a "go at your own pace" as you described.

Now that I've given you options, here's the real answer to your question. It could be a big shock for you, but not necessarily. It depends on how far you've gone in your curriculum and how adaptable you are. I know when I integrated that my math course was really easy, but I had to work hard for my english grades the first semester. I adapted quickly, however, and by the second semester things went really smoothly. Bare in mind, that you wouldn't be the only person adjusting to a new school. The new middle-schoolers are as well and (most of) the freshman teachers will keep that in mind. If you're really worried about how you'll compare, try taking a standardized test such as the IOWAs or the ERB. This will help rank you among your peers and could help place you in the correct level of classes (usually there's really basic, then average and then advanced versions of the same subject.)

While I took the leap into high school, another homeschooling friend of mine took the homeschooling/community college path mentioned above, and we both ended up happy with our decisions and in where we ended up after our studies were over. Just pick one based on the type of environment which will enable YOU to learn best.

Whichever your decision I'm sure you'll do fine. Good luck and if you have any more questions about the transition feel free to e-mail me. :-)

Answer 9

It Is VERY Difficult

I Suggest You Try And Find a Licensed Teacher Who Also Teaches A Small Class To Go To

Answer 10

If you want to go to college or university, it would probably be less of a shock now than it would be then.

Answer 11

Hm....your mom gives you a lot of freedom, but your only social time is on the computer.  That seems to be an issue about your personal motivation rather than a problem with your homeschooling.

Get out there!  Take classes!  Volunteer!  Take up a hobby!